RED RIVER SETTLEMENT 83 



mammals, are thus allured within easy shot ; but on this 

 occasion the birds could not be deceived again, and the 

 brace I secured was all that I obtained at Red River. 

 They were of the common Canadian kind, Bernicla Cana- 

 densis, which is a large dark-coloured bird, blackish and 

 dark brown being the prevailing tints of its colour, with 

 white cheeks and throat, and whitish belly. 



The most important object of iny visit to Fort Garry 

 was accomplished by my succeeding in engaging Achil 

 Guelle, a French Canadian voyageur, to act as guide and 

 assistant during the remainder of my purposed journey. 

 He was a man of fifty years, well acquainted with Indian 

 ways and notions, and highly recommended as a faithful 

 fellow, who would be prepared to sustain my authority. 

 Of course the real reason for engaging him was not 

 revealed to my Indian friends, who would have been 

 highly offended, and would have probably left me if they 

 had suspected that I was in any way dissatisfied with 

 them, or mistrusted their fidelity. I had so managed 

 down to this point as to avoid all subject of dispute ; but, 

 as I have already hinted, it had become evident to me 

 that these braves, to a certain extent, despised my youth 

 and want of experience. This may seem strange to 

 persons unacquainted with the nature and ways of 

 Indians, considering that I had been made a complimen- 

 tary chief; but chiefs among the Crees have no great 

 authority. 



We left Fort Garry on the 23rd August, and re-entered 

 Lake Winnipeg the following day, again taking toll of the 

 ducks and widgeon, of which Sam and I shot, between us, 

 nearly fifty. The canoe was now so heavily laden that I 

 began to fear that she was hardly safe ; but the rapid 

 consumption of provisions speedily remedied this. 



We slept ashore, of course, every night, under the 

 shelter of bushes and trees, and with a good fire at our feet. 

 This was scarcely needed, as the heat was so great, even at 

 night, that I could rarely endure the weight of a blanket 



